Patrons of clubs, pubs and a charter cruise on the Tomaree peninsula dug deep on the weekend to raise much needed funds for drought affected farmers. While many organisations were still counting their cash on Tuesday, so far more than $30,000 has been collected from events held as part of the Farmers Relief Charity Weekend on September 8-9. The Port’s three major golf clubs – Nelson Bay, Pacific Dunes and Horizons – attracted around 200 golfers for a combined charity ambrose event with presentations, raffles and auctions. Nelson Bay raised $7500, Pacific Dunes $5000 while Horizons was still counting the funds it raised on Tuesday. Bowlers were equally generous with their time and money, with hundreds turning out for events at Soldiers Point (raising $5000) and Fingal Bay ($8000) clubs. The Nelson Bay club raised $2500 from a quiz night held the previous weekend. A Moonshadow cruise with 64 on board on Saturday night netted more than $1200. At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Port Stephens councillors approved a $1000 donation to be made to the farmers relief charity fund. Anna Bay Tavern combined its takings from a farmers relief day on Saturday with the annual show and shine day on Sunday, drawing some 600 patrons over the two days. Licencee Aimee Sharp said people traveled from all over the Hunter and Sydney to contribute towards the Country Women’s Associations farmers fund. “We are yet to tally the donations but it will be in the thousands,” she said. “Sunday’s event was very well patronised. “We had around 30 cars on display coming from Sydney and beyond, while both the Anna Bay Rural Fire Service and Action Club made huge contributions.”